Shahbaz Ahmed
Pullman,WA
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Institute of Biological Chemistry
Pullman, USA
09.2025 - Current
- Engineered Physaria fendleri using CRISPR/Cas9 to produce value-added seed oils, enhancing potential applications in biofuels and nutrition.
- Studied lipid metabolism in Brassica napus (canola and industrial rapeseed) using CRISPR/Cas9 and RNAi approaches, aiming to improve seed oil composition and yield for agricultural benefits.
- Employing RNAi-based strategies to investigate seed oil biosynthesis and remodeling in medium-chain Camelina sativa for improved oil quality and industrial utility.
- Conducted tissue culture, transformation, and plant regeneration in Physaria fendleri, Brassica napus, and Camelina sativa, facilitating advances in plant biotechnology and crop improvement.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Department of Crops Science
Pullman, USA
09.2023 - 09.2025
- Led molecular studies on herbicide resistance in Downy Brome, correlating EPSPS gene copy number with glyphosate resistance.
- Characterized herbicide resistance mechanism at the molecular level through gene expression analysis and whole genome sequencing, revealing structural variation in resistant biotypes.
- Developed tissue culture and transformation protocols for Downy Brome, facilitating advanced genetic studies in weed species.
- Applied high-throughput phenotyping techniques (Phenospex system) to assess weed response to herbicide applications.
- Developed a deep learning-based detection system for identifying weed seeds in the soil seed bank, enhancing precision in weed management strategies.
Graduate Research Assistant
Washington State University
Pullman, USA
08.2016 - 12.2023
- Utilized CRISPR-Cas9-based gene editing, gene over-expression, dominant-negative mutation, and GUS assays in AHL26 to investigate seed and seedling development in Arabidopsis, contributing to understanding of plant growth dynamics.
- Developed technique for generating Cas9-free mutants, enhancing genetic research capabilities.
- Developed transgenic dominant-negative mutant canola lines for improved seed size and seedling establishment.
- Applied high-throughput phenotyping to identify winter-tolerant Brassica napus lines, supporting targeted breeding strategies for dryland agriculture.
Plant Physiologist Intern
Bayer Crop Sciences
Chesterfield, USA
05.2022 - 08.2022
- Performed digital imaging-based plant phenotyping and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to advance understanding of plant traits.
- Supported data collection and analysis for research projects.
- Collaborated with team members on product development initiatives.
Research Assistant
University of Agriculture Faisalabad
Faisalabad, Pakistan
09.2012 - 07.2016
- Conducted drought stress breeding for cotton and salt tolerance studies for maize under hydroponic conditions, contributing to enhanced crop resilience.
- Collaborated with research teams on crop breeding initiatives for wheat, maize, and chickpea, facilitating advancements in crop development.
Education
Ph.D. - Crop Science
Washington State University
Pullman, WA12-2023
Master of Science - Plant Breeding & Genetics
University of Agriculture Faisalabad
Pakistan06-2012
Bachelor of Science - Plant Breeding & Genetics
University of Agriculture Faisalabad
Pakistan06-2010
Skills
- CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing
- RNA-Seq data analysis
- Whole genome sequencing
- PCR
- RT-PCR
- Cloning
- Restriction cloning
- Gateway
- Golden Gate
- Site-Directed Mutagenesis
- RNAi
- Gene overexpression
- Dominant-negative mutations
- GFP assays
- GUS assays
- Agrobacterium-mediated transformation
- Seed oil profiling
- Fatty acid profiling
- Gas chromatography
- Lipid extraction
- Herbicide resistance screening
- Tissue culture techniques
- Experimental design
- Field trials
- High-throughput phenotyping
- Herbicide efficacy testing
- RNA-Seq analysis
- GWAS
- Deep learning
- R programming
- DNA/RNA extraction
Affiliations
- Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA), Senator, 2021
- Emerging Leader, Student Involvement Program, WSU, 2016-2017
- Western Society of Weed Science
Student Mentorship
- Mentored graduate & undergraduate students in molecular biology, weed science, and bioinformatics at Washington State University.
- Supervised research projects on plant bioengineering, weed resistance, crop breeding, and high-throughput phenotyping.
Publications
- Ahmed S, Hulbert A, Xin X, & Neff M., The ability of the Arabidopsis to recover from basta and its application in isolating Cas9-free mutants., Front Plant Sci., 10/16/24, 15, 1408230
- Ahmed, S., Hulbert, A.K., Xin, X. et al., AHL26, an AT-hook gene, negatively regulates hypocotyl growth and flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana., BMC Plant Biol, 2025, 25, 730, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-025-06764-8
- Ahmed S, Revlonski S, Muaghan P, Savic M, Kalin J, & Burke IC., Deep Learning-Based Detection & Quantification of Weed Seeds Mixture., Weed Science, 2024, 72, 6, 655-663
- Afzal I, Haq MZU, Ahmed S, Hirich A, & Bazile D., Integrating Quinoa into the Agri-Food System: Challenges & Perspectives., Plants, 2023, 12, 19, 3361
- Ahmed S, Mensonides J., Burke I.C., Establishing Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and regeneration in Bromus tectorum., Under Review, Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC)
- Ahmed S, Revlonski S, Farman M, Savic M, Burke I.C., Structural rearrangements linked to glyphosate resistance in Bromus tectorum., In preparation, Target journal Nature Communications Biology
Grants And Funding
- Washington Oilseed & Cropping System Grant, $80,000, 01/01/19, 12/01/20
- Otto & Doris Amen Dryland Research Endowment, $10,000, 01/01/21, 12/01/22
Conference Presentations
- Ahmed S, Hulbert A, Xin X, & Neff M., AHL26, an AT-hook gene, inhibits hypocotyl growth and delays flowering time in Arabidopsis thaliana., Poster presentation, Plant and Animal Genome 31 (PAG31), San Diego, CA
- Ahmed S, Hulbert A, Xin X, & Neff M., The ability of Arabidopsis to recover from Basta and its application in isolating Cas9-free mutants., Oral presentation, Washington State University, Molecular Plant Sciences Hatch Umbrella Retreat, Pullman, WA
- Ahmed S, Revlonski S, Muaghan P, Savic M, Kalin J, & Burke IC., Deep Learning-Based Detection & Quantification of Weed Seeds Mixture., Oral presentation, Get Rid Of Weeds (GROW) meeting, Pullman, WA
- Ahmed S, Savic M, Landau O, & Burke IC., EPSPS Gene Amplification in Glyphosate-Resistant Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) from Washington., Poster presentation, Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) conference, Vancouver, Canada
- Ahmed S, Revlonski S, Muaghan P, Savic M, Kalin J, & Burke IC., Deep Learning-Based Detection & Quantification of Weed Seeds Mixture., Poster presentation, Western Society of Weed Science (WSWS), Denver, CO
- Ahmed S, Savic M, Landau O, & Burke IC., Optimized Robotic Workflow for DNA and RNA Extraction in Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum) Using the Kingfisher System: From Germination to Quality Control., Poster presentation, Western Society of Weed Science (WSWS), Seattle, WA
- Ahmed S, Mensonides J., Burke I.C. (2025). Establishing Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and regeneration in Bromus tectorum. Oral presentation, Western Society of Weed Science (WSWS), Tucson, AZ
- Schroeder Z, Revolinski S, Ahmed S, Savic M., Rapid Markers for Detecting Herbicide Resistance in Kentucky Weeds. Paper presentation. Weed Science Society of America, Raleigh, NC
- Savic M, Revolinski S, Schroeder Z, Ahmed S, Burke I., First Report of Quizalofop-P Resistance in Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) in Washington., Poster presentation, Western Society of Weed Science (WSWS), Seattle, WA
Reference
- Philip D. Bates, Associate Professor; Institute of Biological Chemistry, Washington State University Pullman, WA., Email: phil_bates@wsu.edu, Phone: (509) 335-0553
- Michael Neff, Professor, Crop Biotechnology, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Washington State University Pullman, WA 99164, Cell Phone (preferred): 509-592-3285, Email: mmneff@wsu.edu
- Ian Burke, Chairman, Department of Crop and Soil Science, North Carolina State University, Email: icburke@ncsu.edu, 509-339-5718
- Mark L. Farman, Professor, Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546 USA, tel: (859) 218-0728, Email: mark.farman@uky.edu
- Huai Wang, Principle Scientist, Bayer Science Fellow, Plant Breeding, Bayer U.S- Crop Science, Chesterfield MO, 63017, Building BB4526, 636-737-6979, huai.wang1@bayer.com
Timeline
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Institute of Biological Chemistry
09.2025 - Current
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Department of Crops Science
09.2023 - 09.2025
Plant Physiologist Intern
Bayer Crop Sciences
05.2022 - 08.2022
Graduate Research Assistant
Washington State University
08.2016 - 12.2023
Research Assistant
University of Agriculture Faisalabad
09.2012 - 07.2016
Ph.D. - Crop Science
Washington State University
Master of Science - Plant Breeding & Genetics
University of Agriculture Faisalabad
Bachelor of Science - Plant Breeding & Genetics
University of Agriculture Faisalabad